NATURE AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE: THE MODERN WOODEN KITCHEN
Inspired by country house style, wooden kitchens were long considered old-fashioned – but not anymore! Kitchens with wooden fronts are currently celebrating the comeback they deserve. After all, in kitchen planning, the trend is clearly moving towards sustainability: and given the durability of wooden kitchens the modern kitchen with wooden fronts has long since conquered the hearts of the environmentally conscious and trend-savvy. Stylist Dana Roski, who founded a Fairtrade jewellery label in 2012, has also opted for a very eye-catching kitchen in natural oak. NEFF shows what to look for in wooden kitchens and how to achieve the modern look in no time at all.
Why a kitchen made of wood is worth it
✔ Wood is a living, renewable raw material
✔ ️Every wood has its own special grain, which makes every kitchen unique
✔ Wooden kitchens promote a homely and cosy atmosphere
✔ Moderate maintenance requirements
✔ Renewable through repurposing of wood
THIS IS HOW YOU ACHIEVE THE MODERN LOOK:
1. Which kitchen floor suits the modern wooden kitchen?
Start with a detailed inventory: while almost any type of wood goes well with tiled floors or vinyl design floors, the kitchen furniture should be colour-coordinated, especially with a wooden floor such as parquet: A dark herringbone parquet can contrast beautifully with kitchen furniture in light oak or maple and vice versa. If the kitchen floor and furniture have a similar (warm or cold) colour tone, you can achieve a calm and classic look with unlimited possibilities to get creative with the choice of worktop and decoration.
2. Naturally beautiful: Genuine wood, all-wood or solid wood kitchens
Not all wood is the same - as you'll soon discover if you're interested in natural materials for your kitchen design. In general, genuine wood kitchens are kitchens that have their origins in real wood. In the case of solid wood kitchens and all-wood kitchens, a distinction is made between the processing of the wood. Both types of wood possess premium quality and are subject to high quality standards. Which wood is best for your kitchen really depends on personal preference. Knots and grains should by no means be perceived as a flaw. It's the natural wood look that makes the wooden kitchen so distinctive.
Oak is particularly on trend in kitchen design: whether natural, dark stained or whitewashed – the native hardwood with its subtle grain and honey-brown colouring never fails to impress.
3. Mix and match: Combining wood in a variety of ways
Wooden kitchen fronts are renowned for their excellent ability to combine the wood look with a wide variety of materials and surfaces. For example, style expert Dana Roski opts for a stainless steel worktop for the kitchen unit and takes mixing different materials to the next level by pairing it with gold fittings.
She has finished the left, right and front of the worktop and the wooden cooking island with real marble. The polished stone gives the wooden kitchen a particularly refined look and is the perfect setting for a premium hob that can be inserted into the worktop without a frame – as a result the kitchen island becomes a design highlight in the oak kitchen.
Here’s a top tip from the interior expert: a hob with integrated extractor fan creates space and a clear view of the living or dining area.
4. Love at first sight: Graphite Grey meets oak
No stylish kitchen is complete without appliances that visually reflect its premium character. The Graphite Grey design line is NEFF's answer to the demands of connoisseurs who want more. Highlights such as the Slide&Hide® oven in the NEFF Collection are now available in a timeless, dark grey. The pilaster strips are made of brushed stainless steel, giving the appliances a matt look and unmatched feel. Built into a kitchen cabinet made of natural oak, the NEFF oven is an eye-catcher that creates a perfect visual transition to the living area next door.
5. Decorative ideas for wooden kitchen fronts
- Artful, but not artificial: framed art prints bring texture, colour and life to the modern wooden kitchen.
- Cast iron cookware picks up on the rustic, solid charm of wood.
- Vintage pieces add depth and character to the space.
- Gold-coloured cutlery with stainless steel or marble? Yes, more of that please!
- Good enough to eat: fruit and vegetables are part of the kitchen's basic equipment and provide a visual boost of freshness.
